Anandpur Sahib:Under-construction bridge collapses

An under-construction steel-structure bridge coming up over the Bhakra Canal on the Naina Devi (HP) road at Lamlehari village near here collapsed on Sunday.

The villagers of Lamlehari saw it crash into water at 5pm. About 10 days ago, concrete slabs had been laid on its steel frame. Protect engineer Gurjant Singh said the company had stuck to the design that the public works department (PWD) had approved.

Photo caption: The collapsed bridge.

Anandpur subdivisional magistrate (SDM) Amarjit Bains, who inspected the site, said the collapse appeared to be a case of design failure but only an inquiry could prove that. Senior officials of the PWD were also on the spot. The project is worth Rs 4 crore.